What this website is about ...

I have been going through my website, updating a few articles and deleting some that were for a very specific time. I thought I would edit and update the article I posted to launch my website in April 2020. I have updated our family photo to include our three grandchildren. Any other updates will be in red below.

So, let me start with the name of my website — The Third Period. The idea reflects where I am in life: the final third, with a nod to hockey, the greatest and most exciting team sport there is.

The photo on the front page shows the scoreboard and clock from Maple Leaf Gardens, built in 1931, once home to the Toronto Maple Leafs (before the Air Canada Centre, now Scotiabank Arena). I started watching the Leafs on my parents’ black-and-white TV in their basement. It took nearly 20 minutes for the TV to “warm up,” and coverage on Hockey Night in Canada didn’t start until 8:30 p.m., even though the puck dropped at 8:00. My bedtime was 9:00, which meant I got about 10 minutes of hockey and the first intermission before it was lights out. Not great. I can’t remember exactly when things changed, but I’m sure I stretched that bedtime as I got older.

When Teresa and I started our own family, one of our favourite traditions was watching Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday nights. We’d gather in the basement around our big-screen TV—one of those massive box units, not a flatscreen. Our five kids would eat dinner off their Ninja Turtle TV trays on the floor, while Teresa and I sat behind them on the sofa. We did that for years, until one by one, the kids got older and started spending their Saturday nights elsewhere. Thankfully, watching sports together has remained a lasting family tradition—Leafs games, World Juniors, The Masters, the U.S. Open on Father’s Day, and plenty more.

So that’s the backstory behind the website’s name, the cover photo, and the hockey connection. As the home page says, I’m retired, loving it, and eager to share the things that make this stage of life so enjoyable. You’ll read about family, travel, golf, and the fun adventures Teresa and I dive into—sometimes with our grown kids in tow. Hopefully, you’ll pick up ideas for your own travels or simply find a bit of inspiration to try something new.

Along with family, travel, and golf, I’ve decided to put more focus on wellness and activism in retirement.

Wellness has become a big priority for me—staying healthy physically and mentally so I can enjoy life to the fullest for as long as possible (ideally right up to the buzzer). Teresa and I have made changes to our diet, and I’ve revamped my daily exercise routine to make the most of the health benefits that come with an active lifestyle. I’m also spending more time on reading, family time, and community involvement. These all overlap in some way, but I hope sharing them will offer something worthwhile for anyone reading along. Teresa and I have started training with a personal trainer. This has made a huge difference to our fitness training, and Cole ensures we work (properly) for the whole hour. It has been great.

Activism is my newest and most unexpected pursuit. Before retirement, I wasn’t really involved in any particular cause. Sure, I followed current events, but I never took the next step. I could say I was too busy with career and family—but really, that was just an excuse. There are plenty of people just as busy who make the time to contribute. After retiring, I joined Amnesty International and found the experience incredibly rewarding. More recently, I became involved with the Mining Integrity Solidarity Network, which has also been meaningful. I am no longer involved with Amnesty International or MISN, but have initiated several campaigns about the treatment of Indigenous Canadians. You will see several articles on the site regarding my activism.

One last thing about this blog: we all have our biases, and mine will show through my words and actions. That said, my goal isn’t to promote any extreme point of view or push a cause. These posts are simply my thoughts, stories, and reflections. Take them or leave them. If something doesn’t resonate with you, that’s fine. You’re welcome to comment—but if this isn’t your kind of space, no hard feelings if you don’t come back.

So, here we are—the third period has begun. There’s only so much time left on the clock (unless we head into overtime), so let’s make the most of it and have some fun!

If you have any questions or comments, you can reach me at thethirdperiod.ca@gmail.com

Photo of the whole gang during a recent vacation in the Blue Mountains